Beam‐Column Moment Connections for Composite Frames: Part 1

Increasingly, engineers are designing composite and mixed building systems of structural steel and reinforced concrete to produce more efficient structures than realized using either material alone. Recent literature has pointed out a need for greater understanding of the interaction of structural steel and reinforced concrete in such systems. In this paper, the behavior of composite beam‐column connections is examined through results of an experimental research program where 15 two‐thirds scale joint specimens were tested under monotonic and cyclic loading. Such connections are typically employed in composite framed structures consisting of steel beams and reinforced concrete or composite columns. Significant strength increases were achieved using straightforward details to enhance concrete participation in the joint region. Details considered include the following attachments to the steel beam: vertical stiffener plates, steel columns, welded shear studs, and Dywidag reinforcing bars. The results and discussion presented in this paper provide background for a companion paper that includes a design model for calculating the joint strength.